CriticalCommonTransmission

Honda Civic: Automatic transmission failure (weak 4-speed auto, 2001-2003 worst)

Automatic transmission failure (weak 4-speed auto, 2001-2003 worst) is a common transmission fault on the Honda Civic on the 2000–2005 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 39 documented faults on the Honda Civic.

Vehicle: Honda Civic
Years: 2000–2005
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Honda Civic as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Civic faults39 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Torque converter or Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 7th-gen Civic's 4-speed automatic (BMXA/SLXA) is the defining weak point of this generation and is one of the most complained-about Honda transmissions ever built. Failures are driven by weak internal clutch packs and torque-converter breakdown: the engine revs but the car is slow to engage or won't move, often with harsh or slipping shifts beforehand. Reported failures cluster on 2001-2003 cars, with owner data showing more than half of failures occur under 90,000 miles (about 145,000 km) and roughly 1 in 5 before 70,000 miles (about 113,000 km). Late 2004-2005 cars are noticeably better but not immune. A rebuilt or replacement auto is a major expense that frequently exceeds the value of a cheap example.

What you would notice

Engine revs but car is slow to move or won't engage
Slipping or flaring between gears
Harsh or delayed shifts
Shuddering under light acceleration
Burnt-smelling or dark transmission fluid

How to check it

Where to look. Automatic transaxle (front, engine bay / transmission)

Test drive from cold: feel for slipping, flaring or delayed engagement in D and reverse; check transmission fluid colour and smell (should be red, not brown/burnt); ask for evidence of fluid-change history and any prior rebuild.

Parts involved: Torque converter, Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the automatic transmission ever been rebuilt or replaced?”
“When was the transmission fluid last changed and with genuine Honda ATF-Z1?”
“Does it slip, flare or delay when shifting, especially when cold?”
“Is this a 2001-2003 model, and has it had any transmission work?”

Now check the Honda Civic you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

Honda Civic buyer questions

Is automatic transmission failure (weak 4-speed auto, 2001-2003 worst) serious on a Honda Civic?

We rate it critical and common on the Honda Civic. The 7th-gen Civic's 4-speed automatic (BMXA/SLXA) is the defining weak point of this generation and is one of the most complained-about Honda transmissions ever built. Failures are driven by weak internal clutch packs and torque-converter breakdown: the engine revs but the car is slow to engage or won't move, often with harsh or slipping shifts beforehand. Reported failures cluster on 2001-2003 cars, with owner data showing more than half of failures occur under 90,000 miles (about 145,000 km) and roughly 1 in 5 before 70,000 miles (about 113,000 km). Late 2004-2005 cars are noticeably better but not immune. A rebuilt or replacement auto is a major expense that frequently exceeds the value of a cheap example.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Civic?

$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Civic years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2000–2005 Honda Civic. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.